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Winter weather that canceled collections and winter break at area colleges hurt drives.

Members of Leadership Wilkes-Barre, left to right, Brenda Adams, Judith Ide, Kevin Feifer and Loni Tomaine, at “Giving is Living” blood drive in Plains Township Wednesday.

Pete G. Wilcox/The Times Leader

PLAINS TWP. – Whole blood, red blood cells, platelets and plasma. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross wants it all.
And the Red Cross hopes to get it over the next two days at its first “Giving is Living” campaign, which began Wednesday in Scranton, Plains Township, Hazleton and Pottsville.
With over 25 local sponsors and blood collections at 10 different locations, the Red Cross hopes to increase its blood supply. The weather and college students being away from school have diminished the supply.
“We lost a lot of blood products due to the cancellation of blood-donation spots because of the weather,” said Shawn James, the interim communications manager for the local chapter. “That put us in a deficit.”
James said the recent snow storms cancelled several events in the area. Also, the usual amount of blood wasn’t collected, in part, because colleges were out for a month for winter break.
“This is my first time donating in 35 years,” said Wyoming resident William Thier. “I don’t enjoy needles more than anyone else, but I wasn’t nervous.”
Thier said he heard about the blood drive on television ads, and decided to give blood Wednesday at the Waterfront Complex in Plains Township.
“It’s one sure way you can save someone’s life,” said Roberta Storz, of Luzerne. “It’s a good thing, and I’m glad (the Red Cross) is doing (the campaign).”
The goal for the three-day campaign is about 809 units of usable blood.
“We want to get as much as we can,” James said. “Whatever we collect will help patients in hospitals and keep the supply up.”
Some blood products, such as platelets, cannot be donated at a mobile site, and must be taken at a Red Cross location, said Sharon Melnick, a Red Cross recruiter.
Melnick, who was stationed at the Waterfront to schedule appointments for platelet donations, said the specific part of the blood must be moving at all times so it doesn’t clot up, so the Red Cross must collect those donations at a permanent site.
Melnick said she began donating platelets two years ago, and it’s not any different than donating whole blood.
“Except you get a big comfy chair,” Melnick said.
The local chapter of the Red Cross will hold another event like “Giving is Living” in July, and always encourages people to sign up for appointments to donate.
A $500 one-month free heating bill is up for grabs as a grand prize for anyone who donates throughout the three-day period. In addition, all donors will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card from Office Max in Wilkes-Barre.
“It’s a great thing to help,” Melnick said.
Giving is Living donor locations

Today: Sherman Theatre, 524 Main Street, Stroudsburg – 12 to 6 p.m.; Nescopeck Volunteer Fire Company, 325 Warren Street, Nescopeck – 1 to 6 p.m.; Lock Haven Moose Lodge, Clinton Avenue, Lock Haven – 1 to 6 p.m.; Wesley United Methodist Church, 130 W. Third St., Bloomsburg – 1 to 6 p.m., and Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 252 Dock St., Schuylkill Haven – 12 to 6 p.m.

Friday: Split Rock Resort, Lake Drive, Lake Harmony – 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Call: 1-800-GIVE LIFE to set up an appointment or visit www.nepagivelife.org.